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Oilfields brace for Cyclone Narelle

Aleisha Orr

RESOURCES companies are beginning to take precautions in preparation for Cyclone Narelle, which is approaching Western Australia's North-West Cape.

Narelle, which late on Thursday was about 760 kilometres north of Karratha and 900 kilometres north-north-east of Exmouth, is a category three severe tropical cyclone and is likely to develop further.

A spokesman for Apache Energy said the company had begun preparing for Cyclone Narelle.

''Normal preparations include the making safe of all facilities in the cyclone's forecast radius to gales, and the evacuation of non-essential personnel from offshore operations in the area, which include Varanus Island,'' he said.

''The Stag and Van Gogh oil fields are moving to shut-in, while production is continuing from the Varanus Island and Devil Creek gas hubs.

''Apache will continue to closely monitor all facilities during the passage of the cyclone and further updates may be provided.''

Although a spokeswoman for Woodside, which has a number of operations in the area, said the company would not confirm any disruptions unless there was a material impact to production, she also confirmed the cyclone was being taken into consideration.

''Woodside is taking the necessary precautions to safeguard our people and assets in response to tropical Cyclone Narelle,'' she said.